LSBA Latest News and Developments

Pay Dues and Assessment, File Statement and Trust Form to Avoid Penalties/Ineligibility

The 2010-11 Attorney Registration Statement, Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board assessment, Louisiana State Bar Association membership dues and the Louisiana Supreme Court Trust Account Disclosure and Overdraft Notification Authorization Form were all due on July 1. Delinquency notices will be mailed the first week of August to members who have not complied. Attorneys who fail to timely pay their assessment and dues and file their registration statement and trust account form will ultimately be subject to monetary penalties and certification of ineligibility to practice law, pursuant to the Association�s By-Laws and the Supreme Court�s Rule XIX.

Nominating Committee to Meet Aug. 27 to Nominate President-Elect, Secretary

The LSBA�s Nominating Committee will meet Aug. 27 to nominate a president-elect for the 2011-12 term and a secretary for the 2011-13 term. The president-elect will automatically assume the presidency in 2012-13. According to the president-elect rotation, the nominee must come from Nominating Committee District 1 (parishes of Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard and St. Tammany). According to the secretary rotation, the nominee must come from Nominating Committee District 2 (parishes of Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana). Members interested in seeking these positions should contact members of the Nominating Committee: http://www.lsba.org/2007InsideLSBA/CommitteeDetails.asp?CommID=30.

Interested in LSBA Leadership Positions?

Several LSBA leadership positions are open in the next round of elections, including seats on the Board of Governors, House of Delegates, Nominating Committee and Young Lawyers Section, as well as a seat in the American Bar Association�s House of Delegates. For more information on the 2010-11 election procedures and the available leadership positions, go to: http://www.lsba.org/2007InsideLSBA/elections.asp.

Free Consumer Assistance Hotline Established for Gulf Oil Spill Victims

In a joint effort between the Louisiana State Bar Association and the Louisiana Civil Justice Center (LCJC), a free consumer assistance hotline has been established for victims of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The hotline assists callers seeking lawyer referrals, general legal information, details about what lawyers can and cannot do to promote their services, and what steps to take if confronted with unethical solicitation by an attorney.

The hotline can be accessed at (504)355-0970 or (800)310-7029, Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Assistance also is available to Spanish-speaking callers.

To view an LSBA press release with additional information on the consumer assistance hotline, visit http://www.lsba.org/tw/?t=45.

Board of Governors Approves Election Procedures for 2010/2011

The Board of Governors at their June meeting approved the 2010/2011 election procedures. Notice of the action of the LSBA Nominating Committee and self-qualification forms will be mailed to the membership on September 27. Printed ballots will be mailed to the membership and electronic ballots will be made available online starting November 14. For more information please visit http://www.lsba.org/2007InsideLSBA/elections.asp.

Sponsors Sought for 2010 Law School Professionalism Orientations

The LSBA�s Committee on the Profession is presenting its next round of law school professionalism orientations in August: Aug. 12, Southern; Aug. 13, LSU; Aug. 14, Loyola; and Aug. 16, Tulane. Sponsors are still being sought for these programs. For sponsorship information, contact LSBA Program Coordinator Christine A. Richard, (800)421-5722, ext. 105; (504)619-0105; or e-mail crichard@lsba.org.

22nd Annual Minority Job Fair: Employers Registration Deadline is Aug. 6

The LSBA�s Minority Involvement Section is presenting its 22nd annual Minority Job Fair from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, at Southern University Law Center, 2 Roosevelt Steptoe Dr., Baton Rouge. Employers have until Aug. 6 to register to visit with students at an information table or to collect r�sum�s. The event also includes a Diversity Networking Lunch. The fair offers employers the opportunity to compress into a single day statewide interviewing of talented students and recent graduates with diverse backgrounds from area law schools. To review the brochure, go to: http://www.lsba.org/lsbadocuments/317.pdf. To register, call Sonjanita Jordan at (504)619-0115 or log onto: https://law-lsba-csm.symplicity.com/employers. For information on sponsorship levels, contact Christine A. Richard, crichard@lsba.org, (504)619-0105; or Kelly McNeil Legier, kelly.legier@lsba.org, (504)619-0129.

Book Ad Space Now for 2011 Expert Witness, Consultant & Legal Services Directory

The LSBA is publishing its third Expert Witness, Consultant & Legal Services Directory. The directory will be mailed with the December 2010/January 2011 Louisiana Bar Journal and will be accessible via the LSBA's Web site for a full year. Advertising is accepted in display ad format or text/photo format. Early-bird pricing is available through Sept. 17, 2010. To review the 2010 directory or for a 2011 flier, go to: http://www.lsba.org/2007Publications/expertwitness.asp.

Volunteer Mentors Needed Now!

The LSBA has created a Voluntary Mentoring Program and is now seeking mentors. The program will match mentors and mentees, through an online process, to assist young lawyers with issues on specific areas of law and general questions about the practice of law. Anyone interested in being a mentor should enroll online. Once enough mentors are in place, potential mentees will be advised about the program and instructed to initiate contact with mentors via e-mail or phone. To enroll or for more information about the program, go to: http://www.lsba.org/Mentoring/Mentoring.asp, or contact Shawn Holahan, LSBA LOMAP Counsel, at (504)619-0153 or e-mail shawn.holahan@lsba.org.

Solo and Small Firm Conference in February 2011

Save the dates! Planning for the LSBA�s next Solo and Small Firm Conference is underway. The event will be conducted Feb. 24-25, 2011, in New Orleans. More information on the event will be included in upcoming print and online publications.